Karel Braun, Alle tot nu toe bekende schilderijen van Jan Steen (Rotterdam, 1980), no. B-58. Although its attribution is doubted, the work is part of a small series of simple paintings of a single figure, most of which belong to the series Five Senses.

In that case, its oval shape suggests that it is the only surviving piece of such a series.

The characterization of the wood is based on visual examination only. The right panel edge as viewed from the front appears to have been prepared for dendrochronology sometime prior to the painting’s acquisition.

Located ca. 1 cm above and ca. 1 cm to the left of the piece of paper’s position in the final painted composition.